Retinitis pigmentosa turns the eye's light-sensing layer into a slowly fading, narrowing window.

Health · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Retinitis pigmentosa is not a single disease but a group of inherited conditions that cause the retina to break down. By disrupting the function of light-sensitive cells, it typically begins with night blindness in childhood and progresses to tunnel vision, fundamentally altering how the brain perceives the world.

The retina acts as the eye's light-sensitive nerve layer, containing two primary types of photoreceptor cells: rods and cones. Rods are essential for vision in dim light, while cones handle color and fine detail in bright conditions. In retinitis pigmentosa, these cells gradually fail. The process usually begins with the rods, leading to the early symptom of night blindness. As the condition advances, the peripheral visual field constricts, creating a tunnel vision effect. Eventually, the cones also degrade, which can compromise central vision, color perception, and visual acuity.

Genetic factors drive this degeneration, with researchers identifying nearly 100 different gene variants linked to the condition. These variants can be inherited from parents or occur as spontaneous mutations. Because different genes affect the retina through distinct pathways, the speed and severity of vision loss vary significantly between individuals. In some cases, retinitis pigmentosa is part of a broader syndrome, such as Usher syndrome, which may involve additional complications like hearing loss.

Diagnosis typically involves a comprehensive eye exam, including tests like electroretinography to measure retinal response to light and optical coherence tomography to image the retina. While there is currently no cure, management focuses on maximizing remaining vision through rehabilitation and low-vision aids. Currently, the only FDA-approved gene therapy is voretigene neparvovec, which targets the rare RPE65 gene variant. Ongoing research into gene and cell therapies offers hope for future treatments, though patients are currently advised to protect their eyes from UV light and avoid excessive vitamin E, which may worsen the condition.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

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